Review of The Simpsons Skateboarding

Doh! Doh! Doh! Doh! Doh! just happens to be the best way I can think of beginning this review of yet another lame game associated with the astronomically huge Simpson’s franchise. I could rabbit on about how much fun can be had in getting Bart to perform a perfect 360 flip from the ground, or prattle on about the sheer thrill of finally making Homer Ollie higher than his gut. The truth is, while it proves slightly satisfying to eventually pull off a complex combo move, it isn’t really that much fun getting there. So after wasting an entire weekend getting through The Simpson’s Skateboarding I feet obliged not to use up too much of your precious time and have decided to come clean straight from the off.

For those remaining, Simpson’s Skateboarding includes the usual selection of single and multiplayer skating challenges. The tutorial mode offers six lessons that may be attempted in any order, with a secondary objective of raising cash (used to unlock the special bonus features). Skatefest is basically a free ride through an occasionally recognisable Springfield location requiring the completion of a list of objectives. Finally the Timed Trick Contest involves receiving medals and points for performing tricks against the clock.

Only the four main members of the Simpson’s family are initially available for selection (well… little Maggie would look a bit silly on a skateboard… but then again…), with each inheriting a unique set of attributes (speed, turns, jumps, grabs, grinds). The remaining five characters are unlocked during progress.

I must admit, I have seen far worse games graphically. All of your favourite characters are instantly recognisable and while there is a distinct lack of imagination to the solid structures and moving vehicles, I suppose the colourful level designs are fairly accurate to the Springfield world, as we know it. Some say size matters and if so these small levels are put to shame when comparing to those in other similarly priced games such as Tony Hawks and GTA III.

The sound effects are fine… well… maybe if you are under five years of age. I mean… what’s funny with Skinner saying, `perhaps some extra homework might help` almost every single time your character stumbles. Considering that the brilliant dialogue in The Simpson’s TV show actually makes the series what it is only makes me more annoyed when neat punch lines are dished out like confetti in a hurricane.

Worst of all is the control system. It may be understandable that the most difficult combos will only ever be pulled off by a genius (or accidentally by an epileptic), but even the simple commands prove sluggish. In fact if I never had to line up another basic grind for fifty years, it would be too early. Need I go on?

`Doh! Doh! Doh! Doh! Doh!` also happens to be the best way to finish my review of The Simpson’s Skateboarding. Or as politely put by young Bart Simpson on numerous occasions… `Man, this sucks!`

OUR PLEDGE: We promise that we have fully played 'The Simpsons Skateboarding' before writing this review. The scores given above are our honest opinion and were not influenced in any way by the manufacturer or distributor of the game.

"It becomes obvious as soon as you cast eyes over the awful pre-game intro movies that The Simpson’s Skateboarding isn’t up to much. I can only hope that fellow gamers have a brief test run before reaching the store checkout. Similar to Simpson’s Wrestling this game will go on to be a massive seller for all the wrong reasons. The main one being that everything associated with the cartoon family that made yellow jaundice popular sells by the truckload. Let’s hope that one day the Simpson’s will star in a game worthy of their immense and justified popularity."

Score Breakdown:

Graphics 10/20Playability 22/50Sound 4/10Lastability 13/20

Our Recommendation:

This makes your console seem like an older machine. It utilises little or none of the PS2 power.